Bill Overview
Title: Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to provide employment authorization for eligible asylum applicants. Currently, such individuals are not entitled to employment authorization but may be granted such by the Department of Justice. Such employment authorization must last for at least two years and be renewable for two-year terms during the period necessary to adjudicate the applicant's asylum claim. The bill also shortens the waiting period for receiving employment authorization to 30 days from the filing of the asylum application.
Sponsors: Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
Target Audience
Population: Asylum seekers awaiting claim adjudication
Estimated Size: 600000
- Asylum seekers who are awaiting the adjudication of their asylum claim will be impacted. These individuals currently face barriers to employment due to legal constraints.
- The policy change will affect individuals within the United States who have applied for asylum, enabling them to work while their claims are processed. This could also indirectly impact the job market by adding legal workers.
- Global estimates are challenging due to the high variability and flux of asylum seekers worldwide but can be extrapolated based on existing asylum application data per year.
- This bill primarily affects those who are within the territory of the United States applying for asylum and awaiting decisions.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy primarily includes asylum seekers who are awaiting the adjudication of their asylum claims within the U.S. This population is directly affected as they will now have a pathway to obtain work authorization, reducing economic uncertainty.
- The budget constraints necessitate focusing on the primary benefits to asylum seekers and indirect effects on the broader economy, such as increased participation in the workforce and potential contributions to tax revenue.
- Given the estimate of 600,000 asylum seekers annually who are pending adjudication, the policy could significantly change their livelihood by allowing them to work legally, leading to improved self-reported wellbeing within this group.
- We also consider the societal and economic implications, such as possible public perception shifts and changes in local economies where asylum seekers settle.
- It's essential to include a diversity of interviews to account for the spectrum of possible scenarios among asylum seekers and their impact on existing community members.
Simulated Interviews
None (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With the policy, I can start planning a stable future.
- I can support myself and not rely entirely on relatives and charities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Underemployed as a house cleaner (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful about being able to use my skills in a fuller role.
- This policy would open up more job possibilities for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Waiter (Miami, FL)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help me contribute more effectively in my field.
- I want to leverage my education here, and the policy helps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Volunteer translator (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Gaining work authorization is a lifesaver for my children's future.
- This is a chance to regain independence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Unemployed (Houston, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will allow me to feed my family without help.
- I will work any job to keep us safe and made secure.
- The policy is key to restarting life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Part-time landscaper (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change greatly improves my ability to contribute.
- Once I get authorization, I can apply to better jobs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Caretaker for elderly (Austin, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With this policy, I will be more motivated to improve my language skills.
- It opens paths for better work conditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Taxi Driver (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Employment authorization greatly improves stability and career development.
- I can aim for a position matching my qualifications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Shop assistant (Portland, OR)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy change is transformative for young applicants like me.
- I see it as a way to truly contribute and integrate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Freelance construction worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy gives me a safety net to build my career.
- Looking forward to stable hours and better job conditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1200000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 2: $1200000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 3: $1224000000 (Low: $918000000, High: $1530000000)
Year 5: $1248000000 (Low: $936000000, High: $1560000000)
Year 10: $1296000000 (Low: $972000000, High: $1620000000)
Year 100: $1800000000 (Low: $1350000000, High: $2250000000)
Key Considerations
- The administrative feasibility and cost depend on existing DHS infrastructure to process a higher volume of work authorizations.
- Assumptions about the number of asylum seekers eligible for and choosing to pursue work authorization.
- Potential political and social implications of the increased ability to work for asylum seekers as it relates to public opinion and policy effectiveness.